Welcome

Hello Everyone,

Well, it's been a while hasn't it! I have to admit that I've been struggling to find the time to write this issue what with a new job, extended commitments at home and trying to find time to have "fun".

It's not been all that quite here at "Flipping Heck" regular visitors will have noticed that I've quite radically changed the way the comments work, integrating them into the page, I've also removed the annoying "capture" code as people had been having problems with it. So far I've had no comment spam so figures crossed I can leave it off! I've also improved the searching so that you get "tag" suggestions when you begin typing in your search phrase. Hopefully you'll be able to find all of the "little gems" buried in the archives.

Comments on the new functionality are always welcome and can be sent to me here.

Enjoy, and take it easy

Katy

Highlights

Here are some recent highlights I've stumbled across on my travels though the internet.

Firstly, PC World has a list of 101 freeware programs and websites that's really worth a look at. I've already downloaded a couple of their recommendations and am really impressed. You can check out the list here.

Secondly, if you're a user of GMail head on over to Jim Barr's Gmail Tips. It's an extremly comprehensive list.

If you want an GMail account and haven't received an invite, I have some available. Drop me an email and I'll try and sort you one out.

Finally, if you're thinking of a site redesign, or just simply want to play about, Exploding Boy has some gorgeous looking CSS Menus for you to play with.

And on a personal note, I'd like to point you in the direction of my article "Getting Things Done With Thunderbird" (although the techniques could be applied to any program with similar capabilities), which has enjoyed a whopping 1000 readers since it was put up a week ago.

Don't put your foot in it with your boss

When conversing with your boss (or any other colleague for that matter), it's important to know whether you're on the same wavelength or not. There's no point pressing for a raise if your boss has alrready made their minds up. So how can you tell? experts have come up with the following body language indicators to help you figure out what the boss is thinking:

• The Pit-Bare - The boss has their hands behind their head, baring the armpits
  He thinks he's superior to you and doesn't find you a threat
• Double Cross - Arms and legs are crossed when you're makng your pitch
  You're not getting through and they're not interested.
• Slope - He's laid back and reclining
  You're not being taken seriously. Upright sitters are alert and attentive.
• Tongue Poke - Tip of the tongue shows between the lips
  Don't expect your rise, this mimicks a baby refusing food and is a sign of disgust.
• Eye Roll - Eyes roll upwards either to the left or right as you talk
  Swinging to the left means he's activating his memory. To the right and he's being creative and could be lying.
• Wide Grin - Tight, wide smile with all teeth on display
  Could be a sign of anger - animals "tooth bare" when they're going to fight.
• Ring Twiddles - Fiddling with a wedding ring
  A sign of insecurity, they feel under threat.
• Nodder - Nods head as he talks to you
  If he slows down he's got doubts. If he speeds up, he's bored and wants to interrupt.
• Space Bandit - Boss stands or sits with splayed legs and arms akimbo
  He's trying to stamp his alpha status on the office. Space means power.
• Face Touch - Gently patting face
  Shows anxiety or boredom

Do you have any comments or examples of bosses body language? Post them at the Flipping Forums!

"How To Win Friends and Influence People" Revisted

I have to admit I have never read what could be called the "Father" of all self-help books. Orginally written 80 years ago, the book as sold more that 16 million copies worldwide so it must have some relevant information there!

Below are some key points made in the book that will help us all "Win Friends and Influence People":

Fundamental techniques in handling people:

1. Don't criticise, condemn or complain
2. Give honest and sincere appreciatation
3. Arouse in the other person an eager want

Six ways to make people like you

1. Become genuinely interested in other people
2. Smile
3. Remember that a person's name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language
4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves
5. Talk in terms of the other person's interests
6. Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely

Win people around to your way of thinking

1. The only way you can get the best of an argument is to avoid it altogether
2. Show respect for the other person. Never say "You're wrong".
3. If you are wrong. Admit it quickly an emphatically
4. Begin in a friendly way
5. Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately
6. Let the other person do the majority of the talking
7. Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers

   Most the these ideas may seem like common sense. And in a way they're quite old fashioned. Does this approach still work in the days of "Pop Idol" and "Big Brother" where the nastiest people seem to get ahead?

   Discuss the relevance of "How to win friends and influence people" at the "Flipping Forum".

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   Well, thanks for reading. I hope you have enjoyed this issue, and if you have, please feel free to pass it on to your friends and colleagues.

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